General description of the drug
Currently, many women use various hormonal pills to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy. However, it should be borne in mind that this popular method is not suitable for everyone. What to do in this case and how to choose the best contraceptive option? First of all, you need to contact a specialist with this question. After collecting an anamnesis, the doctor may recommend using non-hormonal Pharmatex suppositories. The instructions say that they have a contraceptive and antiseptic effect.
It should be borne in mind that vaginal suppositories significantly reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy, but do not completely eliminate it. In addition to the contraceptive effect, suppositories also have an antiseptic effect and can make sexual life truly safe.
Pharmatex contraceptive suppositories are produced by the French pharmaceutical company. In addition to suppositories, vaginal tablets, capsules, creams and tampons are also produced. They contain different amounts of the active substance, which in turn affects the duration of the contraceptive effect. The cost of candles ranges from 540-600 rubles per package.
Drug interactions
Medicines produced in intravaginal dosage forms can neutralize the spermicidal properties of benzalkonium chloride. Any preparations containing alkaline substances and iodonate solutions can inactivate the action of Farmatex.
In this regard, experts recommend that women who need treatment for gynecological diseases temporarily stop using vaginal pills and opt for more reliable, barrier methods of contraception.
How do Pharmatex suppositories work?
Instructions for use and reviews from experts indicate that the local contraceptive is a powerful spermicide and antiseptic. The active component of vaginal suppositories has a negative effect on the flagella and heads of sperm. This leads to the impossibility of fertilizing the egg. Complete destruction of male reproductive cells occurs within a few seconds.
In addition to spermicidal action, suppositories also have antimicrobial activity. The pathogens that cause sensitivity to the drug are chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, Staphylococcus aureus, and type 2 herpes. Benzalkonium chloride has weak activity against the pathogens of gardnerellosis, mycoplasma, syphilis and candidiasis.
After the suppository dissolves, the mucus thickens in the cervical canal, which prevents the penetration of male germ cells.
The active substance of the Pharmatex contraceptive suppositories is absorbed only on the mucous membranes of the vagina and is not absorbed into the systemic bloodstream. The therapeutic effect manifests itself only at the local level. The drug does not have a negative effect on the vaginal microflora and does not change the menstrual cycle.
Hormonal contraception
Hormonal contraceptives traditionally occupy first place among means of preventing pregnancy and provide the highest percentage of protection. Hormonal contraceptives suppress ovulation, i.e. interfere with the development and release of the egg from the ovary. Under the influence of these drugs, the structure of the inner lining of the uterus, the endometrium, also changes, as a result of which the fertilized egg cannot attach to the walls of the uterus. Hormonal contraceptives thicken cervical mucus, making the cervix impenetrable to sperm.
Mini-drinks. For use after childbirth, special medications that do not affect feeding are recommended. Such drugs are called “mini-pills” (low-dose oral contraceptives). These include, for example, Continuin, Exluton, Femulen, Microlut, Charozetta. They contain only one hormone - gestagen, which acts at the level of the uterus and does not change the properties of mother's milk (if the mother is breastfeeding). Mini-pills must be taken daily, without breaks, at exactly the same time, in order to maintain a constant concentration of hormones in the body (plus or minus 1 hour). You can stop taking the drug at any day. These drugs are designed specifically for nursing mothers; they are also suitable for women of older reproductive age (after 45 years). When used in other cases, they can cause menstrual irregularities (shortening, intermenstrual bleeding).
Injections. There is another form of progestin contraceptives - injection. This is the drug Depo-Provera, which is administered intramuscularly once every 2 months. You should not skip the time of the next injection: the effectiveness of the method is sharply reduced. The drug, like any other hormonal contraceptives, can be used only after consultation with a doctor.
Contraceptive effectiveness In 1939, American gynecologist Raymond Pearl proposed an index for numerically expressing fertility and assessing the effectiveness of contraceptives. The Pearl index is equal to the number of conceptions within one year in 100 women using a particular method of contraception and characterizes its contraceptive effect.
| Female sterilization | 0,4 |
| Male sterilization | 0,15 |
| Intrauterine system "Mirena" | 0,1 |
| Intrauterine contraceptives (spirals) | 1,0 |
| Combined oral contraceptives are less | 0,5 |
| Mini-drink less | 4,3 |
| Implantation contraception (Norplant) | 0,3 |
| Injectable contraception (Depo-Provera) | less than 1.0 |
| Condoms | 12 |
| Spermicides | 21 |
| Coitus interruptus | 19 |
| Without contraception | 85 |
Implantation contraception. Finally, using the implantation form of a progestin contraceptive, you can solve the problem of pregnancy for the next 5 years. This drug (the most famous is Norplant) is administered by a doctor under the skin in the form of small capsules and is gradually released from them, creating a contraceptive effect. It is clear that this path is the least troublesome, but requires clear plans for the future, although removal of the capsules is possible at the request of the woman at any time. Against the background of Norplant, the nature of menstruation changes: they become scanty, rare, and possibly irregular. Not all gynecologists are proficient in the technique of inserting and removing Norplant, therefore, when installing a contraceptive, it is advisable not to lose contact with a doctor who knows this technique during the entire period of action (5 years). The introduction of Norplant is, although small, still a surgical intervention, after which infectious and inflammatory complications are possible. It cannot be said that this technique is widespread in our country.
Combined oral contraceptives (ok). These are exactly the oral contraceptives that are better known to most women. The number of their names is close to two hundred. Unlike mini-pills, which contain only one type of hormone - gestagens, combined oral contraceptives contain estrogens and gestagens. This tandem allows you to maintain hormonal levels at a natural level, typical for women outside the period of breastfeeding, providing a sufficient contraceptive effect and regular menstrual-like bleeding. A gynecologist will help you choose pills, taking into account the woman’s general and hormonal condition, the presence of certain diseases of both the genital area and other organs and systems. Don’t take risks by buying something your friend praises on your own: these pills may cause side effects for you.
In addition, combined OCs are used only after breastfeeding has stopped. The fact is that these drugs contain two components - gestagens (they are also found in the above-described mini-pills, injection and implantation forms) and estrogens. Moreover, oral contraceptives contain these hormones in large quantities. In turn, hormones enter the baby’s body with milk, which is unsafe.
Finally, OCs have quite a few contraindications, which women are not always aware of. Therefore, before taking them, it is advisable to undergo a certain examination, especially if such contraindications existed previously.
Postcoital contraceptives. Contraceptives such as Postinor, which contain very high doses of hormones, are used “after the fact.” They “work” on the same principle as any other hormonal contraceptives. In the postpartum period, it is better not to use these drugs and use them only in emergency cases. In addition, postcoital contraceptives often cause complications in the form of bleeding - and it is unclear whether this is due to the drug or to complications after childbirth. The amount of hormones supplied to the baby through milk will be very large in this case. So postcoital contraception remains, as it should be, emergency - that is, for the most extreme case.
Thus, of all hormonal contraceptives, mini-pills can be considered the safest for breastfeeding women. Women who are not breastfeeding can use any medications after consulting a gynecologist.
Once again, it is worth emphasizing that taking any hormonal medications should be discussed with your doctor. Contraceptives can aggravate the course of various chronic diseases, and therefore are contraindicated in case of vascular thrombosis (if it was previously, during pregnancy or present), jaundice or severe liver diseases, tumors, bleeding from the genital tract and many other conditions. Sometimes a gynecologist conducts an examination before recommending this or that OC to a woman.
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Indications for use
For women who have irregular sex life, gynecologists often recommend using one-time contraceptives: condoms, vaginal diaphragms, cervical caps and drugs that have a detrimental effect on sperm. The latter include various suppositories, tablets, gels, tampons. Such drugs are somewhat inferior in their degree of protection to oral contraceptives. When using Pharmatex suppositories, protection against unwanted fertilization is guaranteed by 75-85%.
Suppositories can be used by women of reproductive age in cases where, for some reason, it is not possible to use other methods of contraception. According to the instructions, the drug has the following indications for use:
- in cases of occasional need to prevent pregnancy;
- before the onset of menopause;
- in the period after the birth of a child;
- during lactation;
- the woman has contraindications for the use of oral contraceptives;
- after termination of pregnancy;
- if necessary, an additional method of protection.
Benefits of candles
Contraceptive suppositories occupy second position in the ranking of contraceptive methods, second only to hormonal pills. Pharmatex suppositories are considered one of the most effective remedies. Instructions and reviews indicate that when used correctly, this product will have the greatest contraceptive effect.
Like any medicine, vaginal suppositories with a spermicidal effect have their advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include the ability to use spark plugs when there is a lack of lubrication. If a woman secretes a small amount of natural lubricant, then discomfort may occur during sexual intercourse. Using Pharmatex suppositories will help avoid discomfort.
The use of a topical drug based on benzalkonium chloride also provides protection against sexually transmitted pathologies. The active component in the suppositories successfully prevents the occurrence of vaginosis caused by staphylococci, yeasts, and streptococci. At the same time, it should be remembered that antimicrobial activity applies only to certain types of bacteria. Therefore, it is not recommended to use this remedy only as protection against sexually transmitted infections.
Male contraception
In addition to the contraceptive effect, a condom also protects a woman from infections. The latter is important in the first months after childbirth, when the woman’s body is still very weak, and in the first 1-2 months there may be bloody discharge from the uterus (at least in small quantities), and the cervix remains slightly open. This creates a risk of uterine infection and serious complications. By the way, this is why it is not recommended to resume intimate relationships until the discharge from the uterus stops.
At the same time, after childbirth, many women experience hormonal changes, which causes vaginal dryness. Therefore, the condom “rubs” and its use causes discomfort to both spouses. Use lubricant and gradually everything will return to normal. Just remember that the latex of a condom can crack if it comes into contact with oils, so you should use only gel lubricants, and not Vaseline, hand cream or similar substances that happened to be at hand at the last moment. Even if the integrity of the condom is intact, oil lubricants can lead to the formation of microcracks in its wall, which increases the risk of unplanned conception.
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What does efficiency depend on?
There are certain rules, following which, you can achieve a high degree of protection against unwanted pregnancy when using the Pharmatex vaginal product. Contraceptive suppositories are complex acids in their composition. This means that they are afraid of intimate hygiene products that contain alkali.
If a woman uses such a product immediately before sexual intercourse, then after inserting a vaginal suppository, its components will react with the remnants of soap or milk for intimate hygiene. As a result, the contraceptive effect decreases. To avoid such consequences, suppositories should be used no earlier than half an hour after hygiene procedures. This time will be quite enough for the remnants of the detergent to be neutralized due to the impact on them of the secretion secreted by the glands on the cervix.
Method of use
Like any other device for insertion into the vagina, the use of tampons must be carried out in compliance with the rules of personal hygiene. It is advisable to take a shower without soap before starting the process (there is information regarding its destructive effect on the composition of the drug) or simply wash your hands.
The contraceptive is inserted in the same way as for a regular tampon: we take it out of the package, take a comfortable position, insert it with the middle finger, while spreading the labia with the other hand. The product must be injected all the way to the cervix. After this, be sure to look at the time: the effect of the drug lasts 24 hours, regardless of the number of sexual acts during this time.
You can remove the tampon only 2 hours after the last sexual intercourse, but before 24 hours have passed from the moment of insertion. In order to make this task easier, you need to shorten the length of the vagina (squat down) and try to pull out the used product with two fingers. After removal, it is permissible to rinse the vagina with clean water or douche with it to remove any remaining drug.
How to apply it correctly?
Before using contraceptive suppositories, it is important to carefully read the instructions. Only if you follow all the manufacturer's recommendations can you achieve the required degree of contraception.
How to use Pharmatex suppositories correctly? The instructions warn that suppositories must be administered approximately 5 minutes before sexual intercourse. The duration of the contraceptive effect is 4 hours. However, before the next intimacy, you should definitely reintroduce the suppository.
The suppository must be inserted as deep into the vagina as possible. This is best done while lying on your back. After sexual intercourse, you should not use soap or gels for hygiene procedures. It is enough to toilet the external genitalia with clean water. It should be remembered that using the drug after sex will not help avoid unwanted pregnancy.
Contraindications
It is necessary to use Pharmatex suppositories only in the absence of contraindications indicated in the annotation. The manufacturer prohibits the use of this method of local contraception in the following cases:
- if a woman has vaginitis of any etiology;
- with high sensitivity to components in the composition of candles;
- with irritation on the mucous membranes of the cervix and vagina;
- in inflammatory processes;
- with erosion.
If a woman has at least one of the listed contraindications, it is better to stop using Pharmatex suppositories and choose another method of contraception.
Natural methods of contraception
Calendar method. This method is based on the fact that in the middle of the menstrual cycle, when ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) is most likely, sexual intercourse is excluded or additional methods of contraception are used on these days. It is better not to use this method after childbirth, even if you personally did not have a single “misfire” with it before pregnancy. The restoration of menstrual function, the unpredictability of ovulation days, and sometimes the shift of these days from cycle to cycle - all this makes the calendar method extremely ineffective in the first year after childbirth for most women. And of course, it is wrong to count the days of the cycle from the day of birth (some women for some reason equate it with the first day of menstruation). When the cycle is completely restored, then perhaps it’s worth returning to counting “fertile” and “sterile” days. That is, if you are breastfeeding, you will be able to return to the calendar method only after lactation ends.
Measuring basal temperature. This method allows you to more accurately determine the day of ovulation (on this day the temperature in the rectum rises). But measuring basal temperature (BT) cannot be considered a reliable method for women who are breastfeeding and have a child under 1-1.5 years of age. On the one hand, BT depends not only on the level of certain hormones, but also on the condition of the genital organs. Postpartum processes in the uterus and ovaries can mimic fluctuations in BBT, which leads to errors in assessing the picture and to the risk of unwanted conception. On the other hand, BT should be measured after at least 6 hours of restful sleep. And for a nursing mother and even for many mothers who do not breastfeed their babies, sleep of such duration is a dream, a sweet fantasy... So the effectiveness of the method does not exceed 50%, which, of course, is very little.
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Side effects
The components that make up the drug are not absorbed into the blood, which means they have no effect on the body as a whole. However, this only applies to those women who do not suffer from hypersensitivity to the main active ingredient. In the absence of contraindications for use, suppositories are well tolerated and do not cause any negative reactions.
Some women still report an allergic reaction after using local contraception. This condition manifests itself with symptoms such as itching, redness of the mucous membranes, and burning. It should be borne in mind that men can also develop such symptoms with increased sensitivity to benzalkonium chloride.
What do experts and patients say about suppositories?
Are Pharmatex suppositories really effective? Feedback from experts suggests that if recommendations regarding the use of this product for local contraception are followed, a high degree of protection can be achieved. The effectiveness of the drug is also confirmed by women who have used Farmatex in the form of suppositories. In addition to the fact that the drug prevents unwanted pregnancy, it also has a moisturizing effect, which is especially important for women who produce insufficient natural lubrication.
Unlike hormonal contraceptives, Pharmatex suppositories can be used only as needed. Women at any age can use them.
Price
Pharmatex vaginal tablets cost about 200 rubles. The drug is in the middle price segment. However, affordable cost is not always the main argument for choosing this particular local contraceptive.
The need to use a new pill before each intimate relationship causes many girls inconvenience and psychological discomfort. Based on the content of their responses, the drug prevents them from fully relaxing and not worrying about whether the spermicidal component will work or whether the pill was inserted deep enough.
At the same time, we must not forget about such advantages of inexpensive Farmatex tablets as:
- no effect on hormonal levels and vaginal microflora;
- protection against bacterial infections;
- safety of use during lactation.
Based on reviews from experts, we can conclude: Pharmatex vaginal tablets are capable of providing a high contraceptive effect if the rules of use are followed. The contraceptive is suitable for women of any age.
What to replace it with?
Vaginal suppositories with a contraceptive effect are considered one of the popular methods for protecting against unplanned pregnancy. Spermicides, substances that destroy male reproductive cells, are used as active components in such preparations. Modern suppositories contain surfactants such as benzalkonium chloride and nonoxynol-9.
Based on benzalkonium chloride, drugs such as Benatex, Erotex, Spermatex, and Gynecotex are produced. The active substance, upon contact with spermatozoa, within 10 seconds disrupts the integrity of the membranes of the flagella, and then the head. This leads to the impossibility of sperm penetration into the uterine cavity.
Suppositories “Nonoxynol” and “Pantex Oval-N” contain nonoxynol-9, the spermicidal effect of which lasts for 40 seconds after contact with male reproductive cells.
All of the listed drugs can be used as analogues of Pharmatex suppositories. A specialist can choose the most suitable means for preventing pregnancy.
Forms of release and mechanism of operation
Each girl can choose the most convenient form and method of using Pharmatex for herself. The drug is available in several forms:
- A cream that must be administered using an applicator. Pharmatex cream is packaged in 72 g tubes. One tube is designed for 30 applications.
- A tampon soaked in scented cream. In standard packaging - 2 pcs.
- Oval capsules packed in blister packs of 2 or 6 pieces. Cardboard packs of 1 or 2 blisters each are produced.
- Round tablets with a hole, sealed in a polypropylene tube. One package contains up to 12 units.
- Candles in the shape of a cylinder with a cone-shaped narrowing. "Pharmatex" in the form of suppositories is usually packaged in a flexible plastic shell of 5 or 10 pieces.
Depending on the release form, the set of excipients and the duration of action of the drug changes. Only the main component remains unchanged - benzalkonium chloride.
